Language Arts
2012 – Middle Grades - District
Student Instructions:
 Write your complete ID code on your answer sheet.
 For each question, choose the BEST answer. If you change your answer, erase well.
Questions 1-10 are from the required reading The Glory Field by Walter Dean Myers.
1.
The Glory Field opens with a scene depicting a newly captured 11-year-old African boy, who has been taken
on board a slave ship. What is the boy’s first name?
A.
Yero
B.
Muhammad
C.
Abdul
D.
Lem
2.
Which captured runaway slave does the 13-year-old Lizzie help by bringing him some water?
A.
Yero
B.
Muhammad
C.
Abdul
D.
Lem
3.
When Lizzie is caught aiding the captured runaway, what does Mr. Joe Haynes, the white overseer, do to her?
A.
screams at her
B.
throws a rock at her
C.
whips her
D.
looks at her angrily for a long time, then turns away
4.
When the captured runaway slave is free once again, he and Lizzie run toward freedom. They find an army
encampment. Which type of soldier do they first speak with?
A.
white Northern
B.
white Southern
C.
black Northern
D.
black Southern
5.
The Lewis family and their slaves live and work on the same plantation for several generations. What is the
name of that plantation?
A.
Oak Tree
B.
Oakland
C.
White Oak
D.
Live Oaks
6.
The Glory Field is set primarily in what coastal U.S. state?
A.
Virginia
B.
South Carolina
C.
North Carolina
D.
Georgia
7.
Elijah Lewis, Lizzy’s son, rescues a blind white boy named David Turner from a storm. What does he ask the
boy’s father for in return?
A.
$35.00
B.
$1000.00
C.
his freedom from slavery
D.
a new boat
2012 Governor’s Cup – Language Arts –Middle Grades District - Page 1
8.
The blind boy David Turner is rescued by boat. Who owns the boat that saves him?
A.
Mr. Turner, David’s father
B.
Elijah Lewis and his cousin Abby
C.
Saran Lewis, Elijah’s grandmother
D.
no one owns it – they used an old, abandoned boat
9.
Which choice below is a true statement about Walter Dean Myers?
A.
he was raised by an African-American father and Native American mother
B.
growing up in West Virginia, he was often victimized by prejudice
C.
he wrote his doctoral dissertation on slavery in the U.S.
D.
his great-grandfather owned a slave trading company
10.
Literary works are classified by genre, which means “type” or “kind.” Genre classifications are not absolute,
but most works fall primarily into one major genre. Which is the primary genre of The Glory Field?
A.
autobiography
B.
contemporary fiction
C.
historical fiction
D.
non-fiction
11.
Which choice below is an example of a declarative sentence?
A.
Where is the phone book?
B.
You haven’t fed the dog yet.
C.
Shut the door!
D.
Put the trash out.
12.
Which sentence contains an underlined prepositional phrase?
A.
We students are happy with good grades.
B.
I think the guy sitting over there likes you.
C.
She loves to bake cakes.
D.
The food on the table looked delicious.
13.
Which is an example of a run-on (or “fused”) sentence?
A.
The dog ran in with muddy paws he got in trouble.
B.
The growling dog.
C.
We got a new dog; his name is Shiloh.
D.
The dog ran away from me, but he kept barking.
14.
Which of these sentences shows the correct use of a comma?
A.
To get, good grades in school, you should turn in, all your homework.
B.
For example the Red Sox the Yankees and the Cardinals are all baseball teams.
C.
After the wedding, the guests attended the reception.
D.
Turn that music down, you will wake up the whole neighborhood.
15.
In which sentence is the complete subject underlined?
A.
The seventh-grader climbed highest in the tree.
B.
The seventh-grader climbed highest in the tree.
C.
The seventh-grader climbed highest in the tree.
D.
The seventh-grader climbed highest in the tree.
16.
Which of these sentences contains correct capitalization?
A.
President Obama will address the nation Tonight.
B.
President obama will address the Nation tonight.
C.
President Obama will address the Nation tonight.
D.
President Obama will address the nation tonight.
2012 Governor’s Cup – Language Arts –Middle Grades District - Page 2
17.
In which of these sentences are the nouns underlined?
A.
The clown chased a dog around the ring and then fell over.
B.
The geese waddled across the intersection and took their time about it.
C.
The bus suddenly pulled out into traffic and almost caused an accident.
D.
The manager confidently made the presentation and was given a contract.
18.
In which of these sentences is a comparative adjective underlined?
A.
San Antonio has a higher temperature then Dallas does today.
B.
Mom, Jared took extra cookies when you weren’t looking!
C.
Those cats are both really white.
D.
Alaska is the largest state in the nation.
19.
Which of these words is spelled INCORRECTLY?
A.
separate
B.
radacal
C.
definite
D.
sacrifice
20.
Match each part of speech to its example.
x. adjective
y. adverb
z. preposition
A.
B.
C.
D.
1. quickly
2. from
3. blue
x - 1; y - 2; z - 3
x - 3; y - 2; z - 1
x - 3; y - 1; z - 2
x - 1; y - 3; z - 2
21.
Which of these definitions works best for the word ferocious?
A.
unusually intelligent
B.
extremely hungry
C.
savagely fierce
D.
sharply painful
22.
A synonym is a word that means roughly the same thing as another word. Which of these words is the best
synonym for the word laggard?
A.
leftover
B.
layabout
C.
limiting
D.
loony
23.
The English words amorous, amateur, and paramour all come from the Latin noun amor. Which of these is
the best definition for amor?
A.
inspiration
B.
freedom
C.
hate
D.
love
2012 Governor’s Cup – Language Arts –Middle Grades District - Page 3
24.
The English words preview, prepare, prescription, and preposition all contain the Latin prefix pre-. Which of
these is the best definition for pre-?
A.
before
B.
after
C.
during
D.
across
25.
The French phrase carte blanche has come into broad English usage. What does this phrase mean?
A.
to simmer in boiling water
B.
someone who doesn’t think clearly
C.
someone who likes to keep secrets
D.
to allow someone to do whatever they want
26.
Many Spanish phrases have made their way into common usage in America. “Mi casa es su casa” is one of
them. What is the meaning of this saying?
A.
we must work hard
B.
we have a common origin
C.
make yourself at home
D.
go outside for a while
27.
Which of these is a definition for the word paraphrase?
A.
a comparison that shows a relationship between two things
B.
a comparison using the words like or as
C.
a comparison not using the words like or as
D.
restating something using different words
28.
Which choice below is an example of an oxymoron?
A.
ain’t got no
B.
kaboom!
C.
pretty ugly
D.
your / you’re
29.
Which story below is centered around an unusual punishment for criminal offenders?
A.
“The Necklace”
B.
“The Lady or the Tiger?”
C.
“To Build a Fire”
D.
“The Raven “
30.
Match each O. Henry short story with an element from its plot.
x. “The Ransom of Red Chief”
y. “The Gift of the Magi”
z. “After Twenty Years”
A.
B.
C.
D.
31.
1. a woman’s hair is sold
2. a reunion results in a surprise arrest
3. the Dorset family in Summit, AL falls victim to crime
x - 1; y - 2; z - 3
x - 2; y - 1; z - 3
x - 3; y - 1; z - 2
x - 3; y - 2; z - 1
Which short story is set during the American Colonial period?
A.
“The Necklace”
B.
“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”
C.
“Rip Van Winkle”
D.
“An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”
2012 Governor’s Cup – Language Arts –Middle Grades District - Page 4
32.
Which poem is written by the author of A Light in the Attic?
A.
“Where the Sidewalk Ends”
B.
“Jabberwocky”
C.
“Paul Revere’s Ride”
D.
“The Tell-Tale Heart”
33.
Which poem is by Emily Dickinson?
A.
“Oh Captain! My Captain!”
B.
“The Walrus and the Carpenter”
C.
“Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”
D.
“Because I Could Not Stop for Death”
34.
Which of these characters is the star of an American folktale featuring a railroad engineer?
A.
Casey Jones
B.
Paul Bunyan
C.
John Henry
D.
Mike Fink
35.
Numerous myths and folktales from around the world feature a “trickster” figure. Which of these tricksters
originated in an African setting?
A.
Harlequin
B.
Coyote
C.
Anansi the Spider
D.
Loki
36.
Which of these American playwrights wrote Death of a Salesman?
A.
Lillian Hellman
B.
Thornton Wilder
C.
Arthur Miller
D.
Lorraine Hansberry
37.
Which Tennessee Williams play below is centered around the Wingfield family?
A.
A Streetcar Named Desire
B.
The Glass Menagerie
C.
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
D.
The Rose Tattoo
38.
A 14-year-old boy in New York City adopts a neighbor’s cat, and the cat becomes very important to him.
Which Newbery title does this basic plot describe?
A.
It’s Like This, Cat
B.
The Cat Who Went to Heaven
C.
Millions of Cats
D.
One-Eyed Cat
39.
In Louis Sachar’s Newbery-award winning book Holes, what is special about the protagonist’s last name?
A.
It’s the same name as the warden.
B.
It’s his first name spelled backwards.
C.
It’s a name no one can pronounce.
D.
It’s not really his name at all.
2012 Governor’s Cup – Language Arts –Middle Grades District - Page 5
40.
Match each Aesop’s fable with its moral.
x. “The Ant and the Grasshopper”
y. “The Fox and the Crow”
z. “The Hare and the Tortoise”
A.
B.
C.
D.
1. Do not trust flatterers.
2. It is best to prepare for future necessity.
3. Slow and steady wins the race.
x - 1; y - 2; z - 3
x - 2; y - 1; z - 3
x - 3; y - 1; z - 2
x - 3; y - 2; z - 1
41.
In which classic children’s novel does a group of people get stranded on an island and later fight some
pirates?
A.
Hans Brinker
B.
The Wind in the Willows
C.
The Swiss Family Robinson
D.
The Water Babies
42.
Which classic children’s novel features a cat that disappears, leaving behind only his grin?
A.
Mary Poppins
B.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
C.
The Princess and the Goblin
D.
The Jungle Book
43.
Mark Twain’s novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a sequel to which other work of his?
A.
Life on the Mississippi
B.
The Innocents Abroad
C.
The Prince and the Pauper
D.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
44.
Which classic American novel is about the hunt for a gigantic whale?
A.
The Scarlet Letter
B.
The Pearl
C.
Moby Dick
D.
The Old Man and the Sea
45.
One recent award-winning non-fiction book for teens is called Bootleg: Murder, Moonshine, and the Lawless
Years of Prohibition. What is the subject of this book?
A.
illegal weapons
B.
illegal alcohol
C.
illegal gambling
D.
illegal immigrants
46.
One 1994 Newbery honor winner was a nonfiction title called Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery.
Eleanor Roosevelt held what position in American society?
A.
a president’s wife
B.
a president’s sister
C.
a president’s mother
D.
a president’s grandmother
2012 Governor’s Cup – Language Arts –Middle Grades District - Page 6
47.
In 2008, a nonfiction book called The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain won the Robert F. Sibert
medal. In a famous 1946 speech in Fulton, Missouri, who coined the phrase “Iron Curtain” to describe the
division between the West and the Soviet Union?
A.
Dwight Eisenhower
B.
Winston Churchill
C.
Harry S. Truman
D.
Alexander Solzhenitsyn
48.
A Long Walk to Water, by Linda Sue Park, has been nominated for a Kentucky Bluegrass Award. It tells the
story of a boy, Salva, caught up in a civil war in what country?
A.
Iraq
B.
Bosnia
C.
Colombia
D.
Sudan
49.
The Margaret A. Edwards Award honors an author whose books have appealed to young adults over a period
of years. In 1996, the award was given to Judy Blume, author of numerous works for children and young
adults. Which of these titles is NOT by Judy Blume?
A.
Superfudge
B.
Freckle Juice
C.
Dicey’s Song
D.
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
50.
Match each Newbery Honor work with its author.
x. Hatchet
y. Wringer
z. Hoot
A.
B.
C.
D.
1. Jerry Spinelli
2. Gary Paulsen
3. Carl Hiaasen
x - 1; y - 2; z - 3
x - 2; y - 1; z - 3
x - 3; y - 1; z - 2
x - 3; y - 2; z - 1
TIEBREAKERS 51-60
51.
The English words geography, geometry, geocentric, geology, and geochemist all contain the Greek prefix
geo-. Which of these is the best definition for geo-?
A.
water
B.
star
C.
sky
D.
earth
52.
The Italian phrase al dente is often used by those in the restaurant industry. How is this phrase used?
A.
to refer to pasta that still retains some firmness after cooking
B.
to refer to open-air restaurant seating
C.
to refer to someone who does not show up for a reservation
D.
to refer to a way of serving food family style
53.
Which of these is a definition for the word personification?
A.
the time and place of a story
B.
the deliberate use of exaggeration
C.
the use of one thing to stand for another
D.
giving animals or objects human qualities
2012 Governor’s Cup – Language Arts –Middle Grades District - Page 7
54.
Which poem below appears inside a larger work of fiction?
A.
“Father William”
B.
“The Mending Wall”
C.
“The Raven”
D.
“I’m Nobody! Who Are You?”
55.
Which Shakespeare play features an inter-racial marriage and a Venetian named Roderigo, who is love with
Desdemona?
A.
Hamlet
B.
Othello
C.
Romeo and Juliet
D.
King Lear
56.
Christopher Paul Curtis’ 2000 Newbery-award winner Bud, Not Buddy is set during which time period in
American history?
A.
Revolutionary War
B.
Civil War
C.
Great Depression
D.
Civil Rights Era
57.
In Lois Lowry’s Newbery-award winner The Giver, what is the main character’s first name?
A.
Jason
B.
Jordan
C.
Joseph
D.
Jonas
58.
In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, what kind of creature does Lucy Pevensie first meet in Narnia?
A.
a beaver
B.
a witch
C.
a faun
D.
a horse
59.
Which Mark Twain novel tells the story of two unrelated boys who were born on the same day and who are
physically identical?
A.
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court
B.
The Prince and the Pauper
C.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
D.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
60.
Match each character to the Mark Twain novel in which he or she appears.
x. the dauphin
y. Muff Potter
z. “the Boss”
A.
B.
C.
D.
1. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
2. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
3. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court
x - 1; y - 2; z - 3
x - 2; y - 1; z - 3
x - 3; y - 1; z - 2
x - 3; y - 2; z - 1
2012 Governor’s Cup – Language Arts –Middle Grades District - Page 8
Language Arts - Middle Grades - District
2012 Governor’s Cup
1. B
31. C
2. D
32. A
3. C
33. D
4. C
34. A
5. D
35. C
6. B
36. C
7. A
37. B
8. B
38. A
9. A
39. B
10. C
40. B
11. B
41. C
12. D
42. B
13. A
43. D
14. C
44. C
15. B
45. B
16. D
46. A
17. A
47. B
18. A
48. D
19. B
49. C
20. C
50. B
21. C
51. D
22. B
52. A
23. D
53. D
24. A
54. A
25. D
55. B
26. C
56. C
27. D
57. D
28. C
58. C
29. B
59. B
30. C
60. A
TIEBREAKERS 51-60